Best Mini Metal Lathe for the Money | Top 5 Reviews and Buyers Guide
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A mini metal lathe is an excellent addition to any workshop, and as their name suggests, they are more compact than their full-size compatriots and way cheaper too! These machines enable you to cut, machine, and notch all types of metals, ideal for beginners and professionals. There are certain features to take into consideration before you buy one.
First of all, check the tool’s dimensions to make sure you have enough room to move around the lathe while working on your project. Secondly, you need to determine two essential specifications your equipment has to have; swing over distance and the distance between centers, which means how thick or wide your project is and how long your project is.
Despite their relatively affordable price (in comparison to a full-size metal lathe), you’ll still be parting with a few hundred dollars, and so you must do your research; otherwise, you could end up with a costly mistake. These machines can be complex for any beginner, so to help you understand more about the mini metal lathes on offer, we have compiled a comprehensive review of five of the best machines, along with a buyer’s guide.
Here’s a quick rundown of what we discuss in this best mini metal lathe review article:
- First, we compare our top 5 picks side-by-side in a comparison table, highlighting our Best Overall and Best Value models
- Next, we take a deep dive into their features and benefits you’ll find useful
- Then, we’ll highlight their drawbacks you will need to know about
- And finally, our buying guide will give you a much better insight into the product range
Sound good? Let’s begin!
See Full Range on AmazonOur Favorite Mini Metal Lathes | Comparison Table:
CLICK on any image to see Ratings & Reviews on Amazon
| Image | Model | Price | Walts Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Top  | BestEquip Metal Lathe 8x16” | Check Price | 4.9 / 5 (Best Overall) |
  | Mophorn 7x12 Upgraded Version Metal Lathe | Check Price | 4.7 / 5 (Best Value) |
  | TECHTONGDA Brushless Motor Precision Mini Metal Lathe | Check Price | 4.4 / 5 |
  | Shop Fox M1015 | Check Price | 4.3 / 5 |
  | Erie Tools 7 x 14 Precision | Check Price | 4.3 / 5 |
See Full Range on Amazon
5 Best Mini Metal Lathes | Product Reviews
1. BestEquip Mini Metal Lathe (Best Overall)
- The BestEquip has a powerful 750W motor and a variable speed of 0-2250RPM. For clear and accurate speed for accurate working, there is an LED screen.
- The spindle accuracy is 0.0004-0.0012 inches (0.01-0.03 mm).
- The lathe brings a 3-jaw chuck. The Swing Over Bed of 8-¼ inch (210mm) and Swing Over Cross Slide of 29.5 inches (750mm) gives more possibilities for large size and heavy workpieces, also included is a 4-Jaw Chuck.
- The quick-change 4-way Tool Rest can achieve positions of internal cutting, face cutting, and bevel cutting by changing the tool post angle and adjusting the compound rest, moving blades freely with the feed rod.
- For clockwise or counter-clockwise spindle rotation there is a soft start, change-over switch. It is equipped with all-metal gears, and the steady rest for fixing large size pieces works as end support for a chatter-free operation.
- Wide application is suitable for mini precision parts processing, sample processing, and modeling works.
- Two backsplash guards are included. The BestEquip has an adjustable, accurate, quick-lock tailstock. Tailstock taper MT2. Included with this precision mini lathe is a tool storage box (1), 4 inches 4-jaw chuck (1), Oil Can (1), set of accessories (1).
- Dimensions: 32.5 x 13.6 x 11.8. Contact the seller for the manufacturers warranty. This is a well-built, accurate machine suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. Mophorn 7×12 Mini (Best Value)
- Mophorn 7x12 Metal Lathe has a 550W motor with a variable speed from 50-2500 RPM with forward and reverse at all speeds and can be operated manually or with the adjustable auto feed rate.
- For different workpiece requirements, the feed speed can be adjusted accordingly. An emergency stop button is included. For maximum protection, it has a full-length splashguard.
- The lathe bed is made of high-grade iron and has nylon gears. The Mophorn features a 7-inch swing over bed, a 12-inch distance between centers, and a 20mm spindle bore.
- It includes a 12-52TPI thread range with a threading dial indicator and both standard and metric handwheel graduations.
- To set cylindrical materials steady the 3-jaw self-centering chuck has been tested with accuracy and repeatability. The quick-change tool post can achieve positions of internal cutting, face cutting, and bevel cutting by changing the tool post angle and adjusting the compound rest.
- The professional cross slide is designed with abrasive resistance, moving freely with a feed rod. 16 TPI reversible lead screw. For accurate operation in a low-light environment, a lamp is included.
- Wide application is suitable for mini precision parts processing, sample processing, and modeling works. Included with the mini lathe machine are Drill Press Clamp (1), Live Center (1), Cutter (9), Combined Center Drill (7), Lamp (1), and some related accessories, Manual (1).
- Dimensions: 33 x 16 x 14 inches, weight 88.18 pounds. Contact the seller for the manufacturers warranty. A solid heavyweight machine suitable for beginners and professionals.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. Shop Fox M1015 6-Inch by 10-Inch Micro Lathe
- The Shop Fox Lathe has a 1/5 HP, 110V, single-phase motor with a spindle speed of 100-2000RPM.
- The swing over bed is 6 inches and the distance between centers is 10 inches. Included is a 3-inch three-jaw chuck and thread gears. It has a thread range (inch) 5 at 16-24 TPI, and to help to determine which gears to use for your desired threads per inch a gear ratio threading chart is included.
- The Auto and Manual Feed easily engages and disengages from automatic to manual with the feed clutch. The manual feed handwheel moves the carriage left or right along the bed and is helpful when setting up the machine for turning or when manual movement is required during turning operations.
- The control panel on the Shop Fox is conveniently located for easy access and has functions such as a rotation selector knob, speed dial and clutch, allowing a variety of adjustments to accommodate turning needs.
- Tailstock barrel taper: MT1, Tailstock barrel travel 2 inches, Spindle taper MT2. This mini lathe economically produces small precision parts, threaded parts, fitting, and dies.
- Standard equipment with the lathe are 3 inch 3 jaw chuck with internal and external jaws, 4 hex wrenches, double-ended wrench, socket head wrench, MT1 dead center, oil cup, chuck key fuse, T-nuts (2), thread cutting gears.
- Dimensions: 27 x 14.3 x 12 inches, weight 71 pounds. Has a 2-year warranty. This midi lathe is ideal for beginners, hobbyists and weekend machinists.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4. TECHTONGDA Brushless Motor Precision Bench Lathe
- The Techtongda mini metal lathe is powered by a 110V 600W brushless motor with a spindle speed range of 50-2500RPM with 2 gears, spindle bore 21mm, spindle taper MT3.
- The swing over bed is 7 inches and the distance between centers is 12 inches. The range of thread is 0.5-3mm, chuck diameter is 3.9 inches.
- The gears and bearings are made of metal making it more wear-resistant, accurate and durable.
- This lathe can be used for all types of machining, turning, facing, drilling, boring and turning thread, precision parts processing, sample processing, and model processing.
- Important to note this lathe has a metric scale only.
- Included are a full set of necessary tools, toolbox, and oil can. Dimensions: 32x16x16 inch, shipping weight 150 pounds. Has a 3-month warranty and a lifetime service. It is popular with car and gun modification enthusiasts and hobbyists.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5. Erie Tools 7 x 14 Precision Benchtop Mini Metal Milling Lathe
- The Erie mini metal lathe has a single-phase 400W 0.53 HP motor and has a variable speed from 50-2500RPM in either rotational direction allowing left-handed threads.
- It provides a 7-inch swing over bed and 14-inch distance between centers and can turn metal up to 84 cubic inches in size.
- It has an easy to read digital readout when adjusting the RPMs and the thread indicator helps turn screw threads from 12 to 52 TPI in either imperial or metric pitches.
- The optional auto feed can be adjusted to meet the needs of the project and the multi-jaw chuck holds workpieces tightly in place. For simple substitutions mid-project, the 5/16 inch capacity tool allows up to four cutting tools to be mounted at once.
- Spindle taper MT3, Spindle bore 20mm, Tailstock taper MT2, Chuck diameter 4 inches. Included with the lathe are a chuck key, five-piece carbide-tipped cutting tool kit, internal chuck jaws, external chuck jaws, 11 feed rate gears, and owners manual. The lathe can drill, cut and turn metal, wood, and plastic parts with precision.
- Dimensions: 36 x 17.3 x 14.6 inches, weight 104.2 pounds. Suitable lathe for small projects and ideal for beginners and hobbyists. Contact the seller for the manufacturers warranty.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Video: Mini Metal Lathe Basic Setup and Operation
Best Mini Metal Lathe for 2021 – Buyers Guide
What to Know Before Buying a Mini Metal Lathe
If you are like most people, the chances are that you will be indecisive when confronted with several options that look almost similar. So, how do you determine the suitable mini lathe for your needs? Here are the top 8 factors to consider before buying a mini-lathe.
Size of Your Project
With this, we mean how big your metal turning projects are. Answering this question will help you determine the proper specifications of the mini-lathe that suits you. Specifically, you should look at the swing over distance as well as the distance between centers.
Swing over distance or swing over bed (SOB) is the maximum diameter of a workpiece that the said mini-lathe can handle. This means how wide or thick your project can be. For instance, are you planning to work on thinner projects such as table legs or large wooden bowls?
Conversely, the distance between centers (DBC) refers to the maximum length of the material that a mini lathe can accommodate. By this, we mean how long your projects can be. It is essential to check these two things to ensure that the equipment you choose can handle the size of the tasks at hand.
Lathe Dimensions
Mini metal lathes come in varying sizes, with industrial lathes having the largest sizes. To know the right size of a mini lathe to go for, you should consider several factors, such as the type of project in hand as well as the space in your workshop. If you have a compact or restricted area, then we wouldn’t recommend that you go for a large-sized lathe. Big lathes need adequate space for optimal usage.
Spindle Speed
The best mini lathe should feature variable speed control capabilities. A lathe meant for use at home should have between 30RPM and 1200RPM. If you want lathes that can perform more intensive tasks, you should go for machines that can handle anything above 2000RPMs. However, RPM should not be a bother to you since you will rarely need high-speed rotations, except when working on projects that require a lot of polishing.
Drive System
Mini lathes come with different capacities and drive systems, with some using variable electronic speed drives while others use the V belt drive mechanism. The V-belt drive is excellent for large mass production as they allow for improved bending. This increases the efficiency of the mini-lathe during use. What’s more, the v-belt drive can manage better speeds, which is excellent for metalwork.
Power
Another critical factor you need to consider when buying a mini metal lathe is power. Small mini lathes typically feature electrical motors that range from 1-3HP. Beyond that, you can easily find mini-lathes that can operate on a regular single-phase supply, which means you can plug them into your home outlet. 3-phase power supply mini lathes will need a converter or inverter.
Accessories / Additional Features
What makes a lathe versatile are the accessories or additional features it has. Other features help enhance the quality of work and add an extra layer of protection.
One of the popular additions to a wood lathe is indexing heads. Some models can come with a 12-position indexing head, while others will come with a 24-position indexing head. The more position an indexing head has, the more patterns you can add, such as different hole drilling patterns and decorative finishes.
Another accessory is faceplates. This helps you to add threads into a spindle. Many other accessories come with different mini lathes- you should choose one with accessories that will help enhance your work.
Warranty
Mini lathes call for a significant investment, and thus you will need some assurance that you will get good value for your money. That’s why you should go for lathes that are backed by an extensive warranty period. Most mini lathes come with 2-year warranties.
Metal Lathe vs. Mini Metal Lathe
Most people confuse these two categories of lathes, and we will try to help you understand the distinction between the two. Metal lathes are primarily designed to help with metalworking and some more rigid composites. We can term metal lathe as an umbrella term for different kinds of lathes used for metalworking. There are many types within the umbrella within the umbrella, including center lathes, gang-tool lathes, turret lathes, and more.
The most common type of metal lathe is the mini metal lathe. These lathes commonly have swing distances ranging from 3-7 inches and diameters of 1.5-3.5 inches. They are affordable and thus ideal for smaller projects and home workshops.
Benefits of Investing In a Mini Metal Lathe
– Space Saver
Most mini metal lathes come in compact space, which means that they will not take up much space in your workshop. What’s more, they are versatile and thus will replace other equipment.
– Versatility
Indeed, mini metal lathes are primarily designed to be used on metalworking tasks, but you can use them to work on wood and tempered plastic. In addition to using them on brass, aluminum, and steel, you can use them for woodworking.
– Variety of Uses
You can use a mini metal lathe to make different metal works of various patterns and designs. For instance, you can use it for jewelry making, creating home decor, and drilling holes on metal and wood. This makes it an excellent investment for anyone with a workshop.
Conclusion
All of the five mini metal lathes reviewed have good features and are well-built machines. The Best Equip (Best Overall) and Techtonga are in the higher price bracket but, the Best Equip (Best Overall) has more quality features, good SOW, and DBC for maximum diameter and length of material, performs with ease and flexibility, and is a durable, robust, sturdy, accurate machine for both beginner and professional machinist.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Mophorn (Best Value), Shop Fox, and Eerie are in the middle price range. All are ideal machines for the smaller projects but the Mophorn (Best Value) has many more features, good SOW, and DBC and is a well-built solid machine for a reasonable price.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
We hope you have found these reviews helpful and informative, and you now better understand the complexities of the mini metal lathe and make an informed decision on which machine is best suited to your needs.
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CLICK on any image to see Ratings & Reviews on Amazon
| Image | Model | Price | Walts Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Top  | Grizzly Industrial G0462 | Check Price | 4.8 / 5 (Best Overall) |
  | WEN 3421 | Check Price | 4.6 / 5 (Best Value) |
  | JET JWL-1221VS | Check Price | 4.4 / 5 |
  | Delta Industrial 46-460 | Check Price | 4.7 / 5 |
  | RIKON Power Tools 70-105 | Check Price | 4.3 / 5 |
When I’m not testing and reviewing tools, you’ll find me in front of a hot BBQ, cold drink in hand, cooking up something big, and spending quality time with my wife and two boys. I’m also often found in my workshop working on my next project!
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